Mary Ann (McGlynn) Traska

Mary Ann (McGlynn) Traska of Portland passed away on September 7, 2021 at her home at the age of 85. She was the loving wife of the late Robert J. Traska (Bob) until his death in 1988. Mary Ann and Bob shared a lifelong passion for teaching foreign languages and science, respectively. When they were not busy teaching, Mary Ann and Bob enjoyed spending their summers together near the ocean at their cottage in Point Judith, RI, and raising their beloved daughter, Jennifer (Traska) Gibson.

Born on Sept. 30, 1935 in Woonsocket, RI, Mary Ann was the daughter of the late Edward and Anna (Coffey) McGlynn. She was a 1952 graduate of Saint Clare High School in Woonsocket, RI and a proud alumna of the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City. After graduating from CMSV in 1956, Mary Ann pursued her love for foreign languages by teaching high school French and Spanish in Cromwell, CT for 38 years and touching the lives of countless students. As a passionate teacher and shameless Francophile, one of Mary Ann’s greatest joys was organizing trips for her students to travel to Paris to study the French language, cuisine, art, and culture.

Mary Ann was a devout Roman Catholic. She belonged to St. Mary’s Parish in Portland, where she taught faith formation classes for many years.

Although fiercely independent until the end of her life, Mary Ann had a deep sense of empathy and was always quick to lend a helping hand to those in need. Ever a lover of words and language, Mary Ann could often be found doing a crossword puzzle (in pen). She loved traveling and spending time with friends and family. She had a generous spirit and was loved by many.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Jennifer, and her husband Robert Gibson of Brooklyn, NY and Narragansett, RI. She was the doting and treasured grandmother to Timothy and Connor Gibson. She was also a dear friend to Louis V. Negrelli. Mary Ann leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, and cherished former students. She will be greatly missed.

The funeral will be held on Monday, September 13th at 9 a.m. from the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Portland. Burial will be in the family plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portland. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, September 12th from 5-7 p.m.

Masks and social distancing are required.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to the Portland Food Bank, P.O. Box 71, Portland, CT 06480.